Reaction vessel



T. B. .PRICKETT ET AL V M arh 17, 1936.

- REACTION VESSEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1934 T. B. PRICKETT ET AL REACTION VESSEL March 17, 1936.

Filed June 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 1 7, 1936 r {UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REACTION VESSEL Thomas B. Prickett and Raymond C. Lassiat, Woodbury, N. J., assignors to Houdry Process Corporation, Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application June 14, 1934, Serial No. 730.594

28 Claims. (or zs-zss) This invention relates to apparatus for effecting chemical reactions. It is particularly directed 'toward apparatus employing a contact mass which may beinert or catalytic in character or may in part, enter into the reactions themselves. More particularly, it concerns apparatus having one or more series of conduits embedded in the 1 contact mass serving to charge fluid to and/or other object is to provide means for removal and/or insertion of contact material.

Still another object is to provide guiding and positioning means for said conduits, while allowing free movemerit thereof with temperature changes in the contact chamber. Still another object is to insure fluid tight joints in the contact chamber. Still another object is to provide means facilitating cleaning and/or inspection of said conduits. Further objects willbe apparent from the following detailed description.

The invention involves closures in a tube sheet or plate extending across a reaction vessel; this plate may serve as a wall of the vessel, or it may define the extent of a reaction chamber contained therein and form one wall of a maniiolding space adjacent thereto. The closures are inserted in perforations in the said plate and loosely engage the free ends of conduits in said chamber which terminate within or adjacent said perforations. The closures are preferably in the form of hollow receptacles or caps which loosely engage the free ends of the above mentioned conduits while allowing free axial movement of the latter with changes in temperature of the reaction chamber.

' In some instancea'they serve as means for permitting removal and/or insertion of contact material; in which case they may have an inner peripheral ledge or shoulder in the barrel portions thereof to preventundue seepage of the contact material into their interior, and, when said contact mass is in the form of molded pieces or broken bits, to prevent undue crushing and breakage of the latter. The closures areiso designed that their removal,v for any purpose whatsoever, is quickly and easily effected. The invention also contemplates providing means for gaining access to the interior of the conduits. To that end, re-

movable closures for the same are provided which permit the insertion 'of a blowing nozzle or other cleaning tool into the conduit end.

In order to illustrate the invention, concrete embodiments thereof are shown in the accom- 5 panying drawings, in which:

Fig. I is a perspective of one form of converter to which the invention is applicable, having a portion of its shell cut away in order to disclose the arrangement of the interior thereof; 10

Fig. II is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of a perforated plate such as shown in Fig. I illustrating in detail one form of closure and the manner of its setting;

Fig. 11a is a plan view of the closure shown 15 in Fig. II;

a Fig. 11b is a fragmentary section of the plate only taken substantially along line bb of Fig. II; Fig. He is a perspective view of the locking wedge used in Fig. II; 20

Fig. III is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to Fig. II, showing in detail a modified type of closure;

Fig. IV is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing still another form of closure, in this instance one of the specific types shown on a reduced scale in Fig. I.

Fig. No is a section taken substantially along line H of Fig. IV but having the conduit an closure removed;

Fig. IV!) is an elevation of the closure disclosed in Fig. IV;

.Fig. V is an enlarged partial sectional and elevational view disclosing a closure similar to that illustrated in Fig. II but mounted in a somewhat different manner. This figure also embodies a different means of gaining access to the interior of the fluid conduit than that disclosed in Figs. II, III and IV;

Fig. Va is a partial sectional elevation taken substantially along line H of Fig. V; and

Fig. Vb is a bottom plan view of the closed end oi. the conduit shown in Figs. V and Va.

For the sake of simplicity, in the following detailed description of the drawings, like or similar parts occurring in different figures are indicated by like reference characters, preceded by the numeral designating the figure or group of figures. In Fig. 1, lower and upper plates or tube sheets II and Ila, respectively, extend across a converter X defining manifolding spaces A and B, respectively, and the extent of reaction chamber C. Each of these tube sheets supports a series of conduits, namely, I20 and II, respectively, extending into said reaction chamber and providing is indicated by reference character M6.

free fluid communication between said chamber and the adjacent manifolding space. The members of said conduit series are preferably perforated, as shown. The conduits 12 are mounted in or on tube sheet Ila and have free ends terminating within or adjacent the opposed tube sheet ll, such ends being positioned and guided by removable closures I3 and Ba inserted in perforations in plate I l and in fluid tight engagement with the latter. Webs or plates D extending across tube sheet ll act as stiifeners and aid it in supporting the weight of the conduit series 12a and the contact mass (not shown) in chamber C. The closures or caps adjacent said webs, such as l3a, are of special design, as further described in connection with Fig. III. Closure caps occurring in a location removed from said webs, such as l3, may also serve as means for permitting rapid and emcient discharge of the contact material in reaction chamber C; detailed embodiments thereof are disclosed in the groups of drawings designated by Roman numerals II, IV, and V, respectively.

A portion of the outer edge of tube sheet II is represented as cut away to illustrate the method of mounting said closures and the manner in which they guide conduits l2. shown in Fig. I and in the following drawings permit access to the conduits associated therewith without necessitating the removal of the latter from the contact chamber.

In Figs. II to I10, inclusive, 2| is a portion of a tube sheet having a closure 23 of the general type described, mounted in an aperture therein and guiding the free end of a conduit 22. Closure 23 is held in fluid tight engagement, at the bearing surface between the under surface of plate II and shoulder 26 on said closure, by means of keys 25 driven home between lugs 24, depending from tube sheet I I, and extensions or ears 21 on closure 23. As mentioned above, this type closure may also serve as means for permitting discharge of the contact mass from the reaction chamber. To this end, the perforation in plate II is of substantially greater sectional extent than the free end of conduit 22. The latter is positioned and guided by the inner surface of inner peripheral ledge or shoulder 28 in loose engagement therewith. Upon removal, closure 23 leaves an annular space between conduit 22 and the inner periphery, of the perforation in plate 2| through which the contact mass may be discharged. Dowel or pin 29, resting on the inner bottom surface of closure 23, is in sliding engagement with the partially closed ind of conduit 22. When the closure is removed, this pin drops out, leaving the interior of said conduit accessible for inspection and for the insertion of a blowing nozzle or other cleaning tool. Fig. II illustrates the closure 23 in connection with the free end of a system of nested conduits, an inner member. of which Means of access to this inner member for inspection and/or cleaning purposes is provided by removable plug 2i5 in the endthereof.

Fig. 111 illustrates the general type of closure used in the instance where the perforation therefor in thetube sheet accommodating the lower end of 'theconduit lies adjacent to a stiifening web, such as D (Fig. I). The perforation in plate 3| (Fig.- III) is smaller than that described in connection with Fig. II and does not provide an.

annular space around conduit 32 large enough to permit passage of the contact material therethrough, particularly in the case when the latter Any of the closures is in the form of broken fragments or molded bits. No inner shoulder in the barrel portion of closure cap 33 is provided; conduit 32 is positioned and guided by the inner surface of said barrel por tion. This closure is shown as screwed into tube sheet 3|, although any of the forms of mounting it shown in Figs. II, IV and V may be used, and vice versa. In this figure and in Fig. IV, 39 and 49, respectively; designate pins or dowelssimilar to 29 in Fig. II.

Fig. IV embodies a closure 43 corresponding to the larger type disclosed in Fig. I but having a bayonet-locking arrangement associated therewith and with plate 4| for the mounting thereof and providing a fluid tight joint therebetween. In the group of drawings comprising IV, Wu, and Nb, 4|, 42, 43 are the tube sheet, free conduit end and closure, respectively; 45 and 48 are shoulders similar to 26 and 28, respectively, in Fig. II. In Figs. IV and 1%, 44 designates extensions or ears on the outer surface of cap 43 having inclined lower surfaces; these ears are adapted for insertion into grooves 41 in tube sheet 4| (Figs. IV and Na), and to lock in transverse groove 45, when closure 43 is turned therein.

In the group of Figures V, 'Va and Vb, inclusive, closure 53 is similar to that disclosed in Fig. II. It is held in fluid tight engagement with the under surface of tube sheet 5| by key or wedge 55 in slotted arch or yoke 54. The closure for the conduit end 52 (Figs. V and Va) is in the form of a plate or cover, such as 59, having spacing and guiding members 5 ad- .jacent its outer periphery. Said cover is ovalshaped, conforming substantially to the shape of perforation 5H1 (Fig. Vb) in plate 5 adjacent the lower end of conduit 52. Cover 59 is inserted into the end of conduit 52 and through plate 5, turned into position and held in fluid tight engagement with the latter by driving wedge 5l2 into slot 5I5 of loop member 5l3. This type of conduit and closure provides a more positive seal at the conduit end than pins 29, 39 and 49 in Figs. II, III and IV, respectively; it may be used in connection with any of the disclosed types of closures and conduit end guides, or it may be used to seal the ends of any or all members in a nested conduit arrangement.

Although the above described apparatus is adapted for use as a converter in which chemical reactions are effected in the presence of a contact mass, it is particularly well adapted to the catalytic transformation of bitumens, such as petroleum or the like. Inthe transformation of hydrocarbons, under some circumstances, such as improper operating conditions, failure of mechanical equipment, etc., an unusually large amount of solid or coky materials may be formed. in the converter as a result of secondary reactions. These coky materials tend to clog the fluid conduitsembedded in the contact mass and must be removed to insure efiicient operation. The removable closures for the conduit ends permit the insertion of a cleaning tool therein. In some instances, the aperture in the conduit end need be onlylarge enough. to accommodatea blowing nozzle, but it is sometimes desirable to have said aperture of the same or substantially the same sectional extent as the conduit end, particular- ,ly in the instance when another type cleaning tool, such as a punch or scraper, is used, or when the conduit is in the form of a nest of tubes, or

the like, having removable closures inv the ends of one or more of the inner members. The comthe fluid conduits, associated with said conduit end closures, provide an easy and rapid means of access to the conduit interiors when the converter is shut down for cleaning the conduits, and avoids the necessity of removing the conduits from the converter.

Any of the types of closures herein shown may be associated with upper tube sheet Ila and the free ends of the series of conduits l2a which are mounted in lower tube sheet i l. The annular spaces between the free ends of conduits Ma and the inner periphery of the perforations in tube sheet I in may then be used as charging ports for the contact mass. The closures may also be used to position and guide the free ends of conduits disposed horizontally or in any angular relation within a converter. It is to be further understood that theinvention is not limited to the specific forms shown in the drawings, since the latter serve merely as illustrations of some applications thereof.

We claim as our invention:

1. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a chamber containing a contact mass, a perforated partition defining one wall of said chamber and one wall of a. manifolding space, a series of conduits embedded in said mass having free ends adjacent the perforations of said partition, and removable means for sealing said perforations and for enclosing said free ends of said conduits.

2. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a chamber containing a contact mass, a series of conduits embedded in said contact mass, a wall defining the extent of said chamber, said wall having perforations loosely accommodating said ends of the conduits, and removable caps slidably engaging said conduit ends and in en- Easement with said wall.

3. A wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit embedded in said mass and terminating in said wall, said wall having an aperture accommodating the end of said conduit and of greater sectional extent than said conduit end, a closure cap having walls extending into the annulus between said conduit and the inner periphery of said aperture, a peripheral shoulder on the inner face of said walls slidably receiving said conduit end, and fastening means for said cap associated therewith and with saidchamber wall.

4. Apparatus for effecting chemical reactions providing a reaction chamber, a conduit extending across said chamber and terminating adjacent a wall thereof having an aperture in line with said conduit, a closure extending within said aperture to engage said conduit, means providing a surface on said closure for engagement with said wall,,' and wedging means holding said closure in place.

5. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a chamber containing a contactmass, a conduit having a free endembedded in said mass, a wall of said chamber having a perforation, a closure in said perforation slidably receiving said free end of .said conduit, a peripheral shoulder on said closure in engagement with said wall, and means for fastening said closure in place.

6. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions providing a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit embedded in the mass and having a free end, a wall of said chamber providing an aperture to loosely accommodate said free conduit end, a closure cap mounted in said aperture slidably receiving said free conduit end, a

slotted arched member fixed to said wall and extending over said aperture, and a wedge said arched member holding said closure capin fluid tight engagement with said wall.

7. In apparatus for effecting chemical reac tions, a reaction chamber containing a contact mass, conduits embedded in said mass and having free ends adjacent a wall of said chamber, said wall having apertures of greater sectional extent than said conduit ends, and combination means for sealing said apertures in said wall and for guiding said conduit ends comprising caps having walls providing guiding and positioning means for said conduits associated therewith, sealing means on said caps, and fastening means associated with said cap and said wall.

8. A converter having partitions therein defining a reaction chamber for a contact mass and a manifolding space at each end thereof, a series of fluid conduits extending from one partition and manifolding space across said chamber and having free ends adjacent the other of said partitions, a second series of fluid conduits in parallelism with said first series extending from said last named partition and said other manifolding space and terminating adjacent said earlier named partition, said partitions having apertures to loosely accommodate said ends of both said series of conduits, and closure means for said apertures serving as guides for said conduit ends.

9. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit embedded in said mass and terminating in said wall, said wall having an aperture accommodating the end of said conduit of substantially greater sectional extent than said conduit end, and a closure cap slidably receiving said conduit end, removably fastened to said partition and in fluid tight engagement therewith.

10. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions,-a wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a, fluid conduit embedded in said mass and having a free end in said wall, said wall having an aperture accommodating the end of said conduit and of substantially greater sectional extent than said conduit end, a demountable closure cap slidably receiving said conduit end, and means associated with said cap and said wall providing a fiuid tight joint therebetween.

11. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit embedded in said mass and having a free end adjacent said wall, said wall having an aperture of substantially greater sectional extent than said free end of said conduit, a closure cap having walls extending into said aperture and slidably receiving said conduitfree end, fastening means for said cap associated therewith and with said wall, and means associated with said cap to furnish a fluid tight engagement between the latter and said wall.

12. A converter for effecting chemical reactions providing a reaction chamber for containing a. contact mass, a partition defining one end of said chamber for supporting the contact mass, a series of conduits extending into said chamber to be embedded in the contact mass and having free ends adjacent said partition, and means in said partition for discharging the contact mass therethrough without removing said conduits, said means serving to guide and position the free ends of certain of said conduits.

13. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions providing a reaction chamber, a contact mass therein in the form of molded pieces or broken bits of predetermined size, a fluid conduit embedded in said mass and having a free end, a wall of said chamber providing a perforation accommodating said free conduit end and of suflicient size to permit passage of said contact mass through said wall and between the latter and said conduit end, and means mounted in said wall to seal said perforation and position and guide said conduit end.

14. In apparatus for effecting chemical reac-. tions providing a reaction chambena contact mass therein in the form of molded pieces or broken bits of predetermined size, a fluid conduit embedded in said mass and having a free end, a wall, of said chamber providing a perforation loosely accommodating said free conduit end and forming anannular space around the latter for passage of said contact mass therethrough, and a hollow receptacle removably mounted on said wall to seal saidperforation and loosely receive end and prevent seepage of said contact mass from said chamber into said cap.

16. A converter for effecting chemical reactions providing a reaction chamber for containing'a contact mass, a partition defining one'end of said chamber for supporting the contact mass, a series of conduits extending into said chamber to be embedded in the contact mass and having free ends adjacent said partition, and means removably mounted in said partition for receiving and positioning the free ends of said conduits, certain of said means, when removed, providing outlets for the contact mass without requiring removal .of said conduits.

17. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions providing'a reaction chamber containing a contact mass, fluid conduits embedded in said mass to extend across said chamber andhaving free ends in a wall of said chamber, said wall having perforations to accommodate said free ends. a portion of said perforations being of sumcient size to permit passage of said mass between said conduit ends and said wall, and closure means of suitable size mounted in said perforations, said means comprising hollow receptacles having open ends and providing surfaces to slidably engage said conduit ends.

18. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a chamber containing a contact mass, fluid conduits embedded in said mass and having free ends adjacent a wall of said chamber, stiflening plates attached to said wall, said wall having perforations adjacent said stifiening plates of somewhat greater sectional extent than the ends of said conduits and accommodating certain of said conduit ends, said wall having other perforations removed from said stiffening plates and of greater sectional extent than said first named perforations to serve as outlets for the contact mass without removal of any of said conduits, and removable means sealing said perforations and positioning and guiding said conduit ends in each of said groups of perforations.

19. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions providing a reaction chamber, a fluid conduit disposed in said chamber and having an apertured free end, guiding and positioning means for said free end of said conduit associated with a perforation in a wall of said chamber, and removable closing means for said free conduit end.

20. A wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit having an apertured free end embedded in said mass and terminating adjacent said wall, said wall having an aperture of substantially greater sectional extent than said conduit end, a closure cap slidably receiving said conduit end and removably fastened to said wall and in fluid tight engagement therewith, and removable closing means associated with said apertured end of said conduit.

21. In apparatus for efiecting chemical reactions, a wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit embedded in said mass and having an apertured free end in said wall, said wall having an aperture of substantially greater sectional extent than said conduit end and accommodating the same, a closure cap slidably receiving said conduit and. rern'ovably fastened to said wall, a removable cover for said apertured end of said conduit, and fastening means for said cover. v

22. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit embedded in said mass and having an apertured free end insaid wall, said wall having an aper ure of substantially greater sectional extent than said conduit end and accommodating the same, a closure cap slidably receiving said conduit end removably fastened to said wall and in fluid tight engagement therewith, and a removable closure for said apertured end of said conduit associated therewith and with said cap.

23. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a wall defining the extent of a chamber containing a contact mass, a fluid conduit having an apertured end embedded in said mass and adjacent said wall, said wall having an aperture in line with said conduit end, a closure cap slidably receiving said conduit end removably fastened to said wall, and a pin on said capextending inside said apertured end of said conduit.

24. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a chamber containing a contact mass, conduits'in nested relation forming a single member embedded in said contact mass and having an apertured free, end, said chamber having a perforation in one of its walls, a removable guiding and positioning member for said free end of said member in said perforation, and removable closing means for said apertured end of said member.

25. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a chamber containing a contact mass, a

conduit member embedded in said mass and having a free end, said conduit member comprising nested conduits having apertures in the ends thereof, said chamber having a perforation in a wall'thereof, removable guiding and positioning means for said free end of said conduit member associated withsa-id perforation, and removable 26. A combined port closure and conduit guide adapted and intended to be inserted and fastened in an aperture in a wall of a reaction chamber and to receive a conduit end comprising a. hollow receptacle having an open end for the entrance of the conduit end and providing means for mounting the same in the aperture of the reaction chamber wall.

2'7. A combined port closure and conduit guide adapted and intended to be inserted in an aperture in a wall of a reaction chamber and to receive a conduit end comprising a hollow receptacle with extended walls, said walls providing an inner peripheral shoulder to slidably engage said conduit end, and means onsaid receptacle to removably flx the same in said wall.

28. A combined port closure and conduit guide adapted and intended to be inserted and fastened in an aperture in a wall of a reaction chamber and to receive a conduit end comprising a closure cap having extended walls providing an open end with an inner peripheral shoulder adjacent said open end forming a. guiding socket for the conduit and and with a radial flange on its exterior forming a bearing shoulder for the wall of the reaction chamber adjacent said aperture.

THOMAS B. PRICKE'I'I. RAYMOND C. LASSIA'I'.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,053,953. March 17, 1936.

THOMAS E. PRICKETT, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, first column, line 37, claim 2, for "said" read the; and same line and claim, for "the" read said; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of April A. D. 1.936.

Leslie Frazer iSeal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

